asobouyo | 27th Teddy Bear [Action Anytime]

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27th Teddy Bear [Action Anytime]

[Elicia was expecting to be in the middle of a scuffle between enemy winged soldiers. Not to be waking up half-drugged and in an old-fashion malnosso dress. She hadn't done this little dance in a few years now... What did that mean? Did they come back? Impossible, they were... Well, we'll figure this out as we go, Elicia. When she gets up, she nearly falls over, and finds with frustration that her automail leg wasn't working properly. Something was wrong with the knee—aaah, Winry would be pretty grumpy about that.

'This would be the second time this week.'

But it's around the time she cracks open her journal that she realizes something's not right. These entries, they're only up to her sixth birthday? No, that can't be right. Where did all her other.... Oh. Oh wow.

She was fourteen years in the past.

She limps out of the forest, dazed but not confused enough to ruin her train of thought: go to the item shop, find her clothes. The Malnosso always left clothes. And then she'll head to the smithy, to find her sword and... and then she'll need to find Winry in the smithy. Now dressed up, she's found herself a good pair of glasses; if she can... if she can, she'd rather not tell them who she is. Would that change things?

Would that be so bad, though? She's not entirely sure. She's nervous and worried and—and—

... nostalgic. Much much later, after everything, she'll head to the houses of people she's most familiar with. A lot of people aren't where she remembers, but she'll try to find them none-the-less. Probably after heading to where her mom and dad are. She'll also be wondering around in awe at the place. So much different and yet so much changed.... Don't mind her if she looks dumbfounded at something, or surprised at another. If you're expecting a shorty, you'll be surprised—she's 5'9". Her father has great genes, like that.]

[ooc: EDIT: sorry, but it turns out a second post isn't gonna happen; this post exploded! XD You can catch her on the draft, pre-draft log or malnosso journal draft post though!
Go here to see extra information about her future relationships and her. Go here to fill out the relationship post if you haven't yet!

And lastly, I'll reply to this in a few hours! Got something to do real quick.]

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[Hmm. Who could that be? Gracia glances around, looks down at the state of herself and tucks a spare strand of hair behind her ear before standing and walking over to the door. She smooths down her dress and opens it, speaking before she'd gotten a good look at who was there.]

Yes?

...

[Well, that didn't work. The whole 'mouth' thing. And before she could remind herself to be unrealistically strong about this situation, tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes.]

I-I... uh... I'm...

[This is almost as hard as letting her go.]

[...there is a strangely familiar unfamiliar young lady at her door, looking as though she is about to cry.

...

Well. There's really only one response to this. And suddenly Gracia's own pain is put just enough on the back-burner to leak through in empathy, and everything about her softens and reaches out to comfort.

Gracia takes a half-step out the door to more evenly meet her, carrying that sense of calm and caring with her.]

If you need help with something, you've come to the right place.

This... [No, she can't even do it. It's too impossible. The waterworks just spring up and never stop, because my god, how could she even pretend she could keep them at bay?

Do I touch her? Am I ruining things? Her voice is a low, hurt mumble]

... I'm home.

[...

Gracia takes a step closer.]

Home?

I—

[You can say it. You have to say it.

She breathes shakily, wiping her eyes, cheeks burning red over time.]

... It's me, mom.

[Gracia

freezes.

Elicia was taken yesterday.

Elicia was taken yesterday.

She draws in a harsh breath and her voice is very, very level.]

I hope you have a very good reason for this. Just who exactly are you?

[It's hard to hide the hurt expression that strengthens across her features. Of course she wouldn't believe her. She hasn't endured Luceti long enough to believe it. And now... look at her. She's not little Elicia. She's not...

Was this all a mistake?]

N-no, it's me—I swear--

[Her shoulders stiffen. She shouldn't be here, she doesn't belong here in her old life. It wasn't natural.]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't... I'll leave, I'm sorry, I just wanted to see you again.

Wait right there.

[Between the anger, hurt, and even deeper pain there is a conviction - a fear - that she should not let this young woman leave.

Especially since if this isn't some strange new cruelty, then she needs help.

Gracia steps within arms length and looks - up - at not quite 5'7 that is not a normal experience in looking at another woman - into her face, a face that is so familiar.

She studies it intently.]

...

[It's hard to look into Gracia's face—the combination of her hard gaze and the fact that she's alive to do it... It's all been very overwhelming. Instead she just holds a breath, hands gripping into fists at her sides.]

[It's... really... almost like looking in a mirror. She knows those eyes like she knows her own.

A hand reaches out to lightly trace the lines of Elicia's face.

And Gracia murmurs, almost not aware of the fact that she's speaking:]

Look at you, you're all grown up.

[/Mama hug.

There are some things the heart just knows.]

[... She quietly wraps her arms around her mother, shaking faintly; the relief, however, rolled off of her arms and shoulders in tidal waves.]

Y-yeah... I had a lot of time to get bigger...

[And for everything else around her to grow smaller.]

I see that.

[Just. Holding on tightly.

She can't even process this.

But holding on, she can do.]

[It's hard to even pull back and look at her again, not when hugging is an option. But after a while, she draws herself back to look at Gracia again.]

I disappeared yesterday, didn't I?

S-sorry for always worrying you, like that.

[The future will be fun, mom. :|]

[Always - don't think she doesn't hear that.]

It's not your fault.

[...seriously, stepping back is impossible right now.]

Actually, some of it probably was. Will be. [She wipes her eye, laughing nervously.] The time I fell off the roof was probably my fault.

[:|a as a warning for the future-that-isn't-happening.]

[Gracia's hands still cling to Elicia's shoulders, though she's stepped back and is now just... looking over her daughter with fear and wonder.]

Well, you seem to all be in one piece, so that's one thing less to worry about.

[Then we shan't address the fact that one of my legs isn't a legit leg. :|

... We'll hide that for a while.]

So I'm... I'm six now, right? This is around when I was six?

[Oh, had she been crying? She hadn't really noticed before. A shaking hand wipes at her cheek as Gracia begins to lead them both over to sit down at the porch.]

It was just your birthday a few weeks ago. The house turned into a castle.

[what

is

this.]

[She laughs.]

I remember that! I have a picture of it in my room...!

[... and blinks, sitting down and looking in awe.]

So. The room in the house... is my old room when I was little...

[Sitting is good. Sitting is... definitely good.]

So... you were here all this time?

For about half a day, actually. I guess this is... just one of those weird mallynap effects. From my past? I'm not really sure...

[She itches her head, confused.]

I don't know, I'm just waiting until something happens, really...

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